Earth Island Project Reports

Earth Island Institute welcomes two new projects: The California Student Sustainability Coalition and Bay Localize.
The California Student Sustainability Coalition (CSSC) unites and empowers the California community of higher
education to collaboratively and nonviolently transform itself and its institutions based on social, economic,
and ecological responsibilities. Through collaboration with university officials and other key decision-makers,
CSSC promotes the creation and implementation of university sustainability policies. By educating the next generation
of leaders in California in ways to advance sustainability in all areas of human endeavor, CSSC strives to provide
its members with the knowledge and courage to build both capacity and community.

Bay Localize is building a more self-reliant, sustainable, and socially just San Francisco Bay Area. The organization
is working to catalyze a shift from a globalized, fossil fuel-based economy that enriches a few and weakens most,
to a localized green economy that strengthens all Bay Area communities. Bay Localize develops tools that identify
local opportunities, connects grassroots groups and policymakers, and advances projects that enhance regional
self-reliance, sustainability, and equity.

Too often, protected areas are in peril due to a lack of data, leaving them vulnerable to development interests,
despite federal regulations designed to protect them. Precisely for this reason, the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve
has collaborated with scientists from distinguished universities in Mexico over the last five years, culminating
in October in the Third Research Forum, “Valuing Ecosystem Services and Local Communities.” The forum
revealed the results of unprecedented investigation in various areas: hydrology, carbon, vegetation types, jaguar
monitoring, social return on investment, and herpetology. To learn more, contact Viva Sierra Gorda or visit the
Reserve’s Web site: www.sierragorda.net.

From November 2 to 5, Energy Action organized Power Shift, the first-ever youth climate change summit. More than
6,000 young people from every state and of every background took their experiences from local and campus climate
victories to create bold climate solutions on a national level.

Power Shift culminated with a 3,500-person-strong trip to Capitol Hill, where young people were asked to testify
at the Special Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. They then rallied on the Capitol steps, and
young people from nearly every congressional district lobbied Congress. November 5 marked the start of a new Energy
Action challenge for the next year, during which concerned youth will start flexing their political muscle.

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) contains more endangered species than any other national park
in continental North America. This is certainly a cause for celebration, but also one for concern.

Nature in the City will explore this dilemma with the 2008 GGNRA Endangered Species Big Year: a race against
time to see and save the GGNRA’s imperiled species. Participants in the Big Year will attempt to see each
of the GGNRA’s 33 listed species, while taking 33 conservation action steps that will help these species
recover. Find out more and sign up for your Big Year at www.ggnrabigyear.org or
www.natureinthecity.org.

You can create the chance of a lifetime for at-risk and underprivileged youth to experience the outdoors. Join
others to climb a peak, raise money, and walk away with over $1,500 worth of free mountaineering gear. The funds
you raise will go to Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) programs that have already helped over 5,000 young people
build relationships with the wild, open places around them. The 2008 season will take climbers on ascents of Mt.
Rainier, The Grand Teton, Mt. Whitney, Shasta, Hood, and Pico de Orizaba in Mexico. Register online at www.climbingforkids.org.
See you on the summit!

Earth Island News

A Climbing for Kids team approaches the Mountaineer’s Route on Mt. Whitney. In 2007, BAWT climbers raised
more than $300,000 to benefit at-risk youth.